asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take respecting the care of the aged and infirm.

This very wide subject is dealt with in the annual reports of the Department of Health for Scotland. The report for the year 1951 will be published on 1st April and copies will be available in the Vote Office. If the hon. Member wishes further information on particular points, perhaps he will let me know.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that there is grave disquiet in Scotland about the care of the aged and infirm?

There has been for six years.

Quite recently I saw an aged person, suffering very badly from bed sores, who was taken from a general hospital. Will the hon. and gallant Member take immediate steps to provide greater supervision so that these aged people may be looked after a little better than they have been?

Yes, Sir. But having regard to the matter of building labour and materials, local authorities have not, in general, been remiss in their duty under the National Assistance Act to provide homes for old people.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made during the year 1951 by the Scottish local authorities in the provision of homes for the aged; and to what extent the number of aged persons awaiting such accommodation is being progressively reduced.

During 1951, 10 homes for old people were opened by local authorities and five have so far been opened this year. The 15 homes provide places for 307 persons.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to deal with the last part of the Question, which asks to what extent the number of aged persons awaiting such accommodation is being gradually reduced, and, at the same time, whether he has any information as to local authorities neglecting these particular responsibilities?

It is very difficult to gauge the number of persons waiting for residential accommodation, but it is obvious that the waiting list is being reduced. For instance, 29 additional premises have been acquired, and most of them are being adapted at the present time. Almost weekly, new homes are being opened for aged people.

While I appreciate that many local authorities are actively engaged in this work, might I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he is convinced that all local authorities are taking these responsibilities very seriously, or whether a number of authorities are neglecting those responsibilities?

That is rather a different question, but at the moment I have no reason to suppose that local authorities generally are neglecting their duties. They are doing very well.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to avoid the present practice of certifying aged people as insane before admitting them to mental hospitals.

Certification cannot be avoided where treatment in a mental hospital is necessary but the patient does not agree to enter voluntarily. Any other arrangement would require legislation.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that if this process goes on of certifying very aged people as insane, when they are in fact senile, it will not be many generations before all the children of the working classes will have insanity in their family records, and that this is quite a dangerous policy?

I am sure the hon. Member will understand the difficulty. Senile people are often incapable of expressing themselves as willing or unwilling to receive mental treatment, and thus are unable to be accepted as voluntary patients.

Why should they not be accepted and treated as aged people in a senile state? Why certify them insane and cast reflections on generations of their children?

I have already informed the hon. Member that such a course would require legislation.

Would not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that this is a very great hardship on the children and grandchildren of old people? Would it not be possible merely to have senility certificates? If that is not possible, would he consider introducing some legislation to put the matter right in future? The trouble is bound to grow owing to increased longevity.

I sympathise with the point of view expressed and will certainly look into it.

Can we have a categorical answer to whether or not Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce legislation to remove this evil?

Not at the moment.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of what is happening? These people are not receiving mental treatment. Is he not aware that the solution lies in his answer to a previous Question, of which he seems blithely ignorant, that there are local authorities who are neglecting their responsibility to provide homes for these people and who are using this practice to put old people away?

I said I was not aware that local authorities are not having regard to the need to provide these old people's homes. Apart from that, I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the party which he represents in this House had six years in which to do this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many chronic and aged sick in Glasgow are awaiting hospital accommodation; and how many have been on the waiting list more than six months.

There are 708 chronic and aged sick patients in Glasgow awaiting hospital admission at present, of whom 303 have been on the waiting list for more than six months.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that not a day passes in Glasgow without an old person being found dying or dead in a lonely home for lack of accommodation where he or she could be looked after? Will he consider this matter seriously? Is he aware that I visited the home of an old lady on the Clyde on Saturday and found that nobody had entered the place for three days and during that time the old lady had not had a cup of tea?

At present the Western Regional Board have plans to utilise Shieldhall Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Schaw Convalescent Home, Bearsden, for chronic and aged sick, and that process will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the anomaly created by the Public Authorities Protection Acts, under which claims for damages are barred after 12 months in England and Wales but after six months only in Scotland; and if he will introduce legislation to remedy this.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the Question on this subject asked by the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Wheatley) on 26th February.

May I be permitted, as a mere Englishman, to ask if the hon. Gentleman realises that this continued racial discrimination against the citizens of Scotland is offensive not only to the Scots themselves but to an Englishman like myself? Whatever may be the merits of the wider question which I raised on the Floor of this House yesterday, will he see that the citizens of Scotland will at least be put in the position of standing equal before the law with the citizens of England?

I never thought it was anything else. But on this matter it is really a question of finding time for legislation, and I am afraid we cannot find the time for it in the present Session.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that when the Limitation Act was passed in 1939, the period of limitation was extended to 12 months in England but retained at six months in Scotland? The understanding was given at that time that the period would be extended to 12 months in Scotland, and will the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again pending general legislation on the whole question of limitation of action?

We understand the situation and we are in sympathy with it. But it is purely a question of finding time in the present Session for introducing legislation.

Can my hon. Friend say why the former Lord Advocate, the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Wheatley), did not bring forward something of that kind when he was in office?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider making grants direct to district councils for the construction or reconstruction of unclassified roads.

District councils are concerned only with existing roads not on the county list of highways. Grants for improvement work on such roads can be given in appropriate cases to district councils in the Highlands and Islands.

Will the Minister bear in mind that these unclassified farm roads are of the greatest importance in some areas of Scotland and that at the moment they are not being kept up to standard for modern traffic? Will he consider whether he could either increase the amount of grant or find some other way to help?

Is the Minister aware that unless something on the lines suggested by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) is done, it will be impossible for at least 10 years for the county councils to take over these roads, as they should do, and put them under their authority?

All schemes where improvements are proposed are examined by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I can only say that we give sympathetic attention to these schemes and that we are in a position to give grants for improvement work in the Highlands and Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will set up a development board to take action on the various proposals from the Highland Panel and other sources for greater production in the Highlands and Islands.

I think it is best that action on the Highland Panel's recommendations should be taken by the Departments and other agencies already responsible for the services in question.

If this suggestion is not acceptable, will the Joint Under-Secretary at least bear in mind that it is of the greatest urgency that some body should now be taking executive action on the many proposals and recommendations about the Highlands?

Yes, Sir. It is a question of which body or bodies to use. We are agreed that action should be taken, but we think that it should be taken by the Departments and the agencies now in operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland upon which of the regulations, dated 28th October, 1930, made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department under Section 7 of the Cremation Act, 1902, and Section 10 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926, and upon what other regulations made under the said Section 7, he acts in Scotland.

The corresponding Scottish regulations are the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations, 1935.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be able to arrange for a modern type of hover-plane ambulance to take over the transport of hospital patients from the Island of Mull, or neighbouring islands, to mainland hospitals in Oban or Glasgow.

It is unlikely that a suitable type of helicopter will be available to undertake public transport over water for several years. In the meantime the Western Regional Hospital Board have made comprehensive arrangements in this area for the transport of patients by sea, including provision for emergencies.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that helicopters of the present type are being flown in many parts of the world, including Malaya and Korea, for the evacuation of casualties? Does he know that only recently a helicopter lifted 14 men, including casualties, out of the jungle in Malaya? Would it not be far easier to lift one or two casualties from the jungle of Mull and bring them to the mainland?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that these Service casualties were lifted under Service conditions. It would not be right to take the same risks under a publicly operated service in conditions of peace.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of deaths in Glasgow from pulmonary tuberculosis in 1949, 1950 and 1951, respectively.

There were 1,098 deaths in 1949 and 918 deaths in 1950. The provisional figure for 1951 is 650.

While thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for those figures, which I can assure him will give great satisfaction in the City of Glasgow, might I ask him whether he attributes this big reduction to improved medical treatment through the introduction of streptomycin or the protection of contacts by V.C.G.?

The precise reasons for the marked drop in the last two or three years are not known; but recent improvement in the method of treatment of the disease and earlier diagnosis and treatment of new cases are all playing a part in the downward trend.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that the utmost and speediest attention is being given to any additional precautionary measures that might be taken in these matters, such as some of the new drugs which are being tried out; and that Scotland will not be behind-hand in introducing these new methods of dealing with this disease? Also, is he aware that some of this improvement is undoubtedly due to the steps that were taken to provide special housing and other facilities of protection in the earlier period mentioned?

Yes, Sir.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman now willing to unsay all the criticisms of the right hon. and gallant Member for Kelvingrove (Lieut.-Colonel Elliot) who attributed the rising rate to Socialism and rationing? How does he explain the decline?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of tuberculosis patients in Glasgow awaiting admission to hospital; and how many have been on the waiting list more than 12 months.

At the end of February there were 549 Glasgow patients awaiting hospital treatment for respiratory tuberculosis, of whom 122 had been on the waiting list for more than 12 months. I should add that patients are admitted from the waiting list in accordance with relative urgency, not by reference only to the date of first application.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the majority of tuberculosis cases are aged between 15 and 35 years and that most of them live in congested areas and overcrowded homes? Is he aware that by the time they are admited to hospital any hope of recovery is gone?

I am afraid I am not able to accept entirely what the hon. Lady has said.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the new proposals on the school means service will be available to hon. Members.

Officials of the Department are visiting the offices of selected education authorities and examining their staffing arrangements and the extent to which kitchen facilities are surplus to requirements. When these investigations are further advanced, the circular will be issued.

Can the Minister give a guarantee that the proposals will be given to the House before they are given to the Press; and, secondly, can we be assured that they will be given to the Press before the local elections?

As the hon. Member knows, on the last occasion we circulated the circulars to hon. Members as soon as they were available. I propose, if the House agrees, to do the same again.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schoolchildren were receiving school dinners in Fife, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen on 1st February, 1951, and 1st February, 1952, respectively.

As the information can best be given by a statistical table, I will, with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I take it that the figures for February, 1952, are, in fact available. Could the Minister, then, say whether in fact this is a decrease for the area in question?

As the hon. Gentleman will see when he looks at the table, the figures show a decrease in four areas and an increase in three. If he were to add up the figures in the two columns, he would find that they come very nearly to the same thing.

Will the hon. Gentleman then assure us that those who are going round making inquiries about surplus accommodation will also try to find out why there is surplus accommodation, and would it not be better to have more children taking meals than to get rid of that accommodation?

We will bear that in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated annual increase in the cost of transporting schoolchildren to and from school as a result of the recent increase in the price of petrol.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be obtained without involving the education authorities in a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

Are there not already two extra Ministers at the Scottish Office? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the recent circular it was emphasised that economies could, and should, be made in transport expenditure; and is it not a fact that, because of the increase in the price of petrol, transport costs, far from being reduced, will be increased?

If the hon. Member's Question were to be answered, it would involve the local authorities in getting the information. This has nothing at all to do with the Ministers. We thought that it would be too difficult to get that information.

Does the Minister agree that, as a result of the increased cost of petrol, transport costs will increase, though the circular asks for economy?

Undoubtedly, on account of the increased price of petrol, transport costs are bound to go up a little.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far the Scottish regional hospitals boards will be permitted to tender supplementary estimates to cover the increased cost of food arising from the reduction in the food subsidies.

The approved budgets of regional hospital boards allow some margin for rising prices.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Scottish regional hospital boards now have a very strict method of audit, which will not allow them to go much beyond their estimates and budget figures agreed upon by the Department and the regional hospital boards; and that, if there is not more flexibility in this position, it will mean that patients are going to have a worse diet and less food than they had under the budget figures?

No, Sir. There is some flexibility allowed.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure us that the allegations made—that, already, some of the economies in hospital expenditure have been carried out at the expense of cutting down the food supplies—are unfounded, and that he will give no support to the suggestion that the food of patients especially should be reduced in order to accomplish any cuts in hospital expenditure?

If such statements are made, they are completely and absolutely unfounded. There is no truth in them at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the Norwegian and Icelandic restrictions in fishing, he will now take similar action in respect of British waters to protect stocks and spawning-grounds off the coasts of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a resolution from the Town Council, Lossiemouth, backed by the Inverness County Council, requesting that steps be taken to exclude foreign trawlers entirely from Moray Firth; and what action he proposes to take.

I regret that I am unable to add at present to the answer given to the hon. Members for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir D. Robertson) and Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 29th January.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that this is a very urgent matter, particularly in the Moray Firth, and will he take steps with other Departments of the Government to see that something is done, particularly in view of the fact that both Iceland and Norway have restricted British fishing in their waters?

Yes, Sir?

Will my hon. Friend use every influence with his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in order to call together the foreign convention to discuss with the interested countries this very important subject, so that we may right the position, which affects the lives of a great many people living in the north of Scotland?

We are in close and constant touch with the Foreign Office in this matter, and we do understand the urgency of it.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in fact, there has been any approach to any other Government to settle this matter on international lines?

I think the hon. Member will realise that I would rather not get involved in this matter at this time, because many matters and many Departments are concerned, and there is an international complexion about it with which I would not be competent to deal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions were instituted in 1951 against guardians who had the care of children under the Children's Act; and what scheme operates to advise all local authorities of such prosecutions so that the guardians concerned will not be again entrusted with the care of children.

There was no prosecution of the kind mentioned in Scotland in 1951. Local authorities are required to make the fullest inquiries about prospective foster parents and to consult the local authority of the area in which the foster home is situated. I do not think there is any risk of a child being boarded out with a guardian who has been shown, by a prosecution, to be unsuitable.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is one of the finest answers that could possibly be given in this House, and a very great tribute to the guardians of thousands of children all over Scotland; and that I am not surprised by it, in spite of the fact that there have been so much talk about the ill-treatment of children? May I ask him to define much more clearly what steps his Department takes in the scheduling of homes, in order to see that guardians who have neglected a child can never again obtain a child from any other local authority?

The Scottish Home Department receives from local authorities notifications of placings and removals of boarded-out children, and keeps a list of unsatisfactory foster parents. If a child were placed with a guardian whose name was on that list, the matter would be taken up with the local authority concerned. The Secretary of State can require a local authority to remove a child from the care of foster parents.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications he has received for new school buildings; and how many have been approved since 1st January.

From 1st January to the present date, plans for 36 new schools or extensions to existing schools have been submitted to the Scottish Education Department. Between the same dates, the Department have approved plans, most of which were submitted before January, for 24 projects.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in some parts of Scotland, for instance, in Clydebank, schools are unable to take children today, and that, if the number of schools under construction is to be reduced, or the number of new schools about to be started is to be reduced, then, in a few years' time, we shall be unable to take children at five years of age, or we shall have to turn them out of school before they reach 15?

We are very well aware of the importance of this subject, and of the details.

Will the hon. Gentleman make sure that ideas of economy are not falsely applied in this connection? Where there are big new housing schemes, such as there are in Glasgow, will he realise it is quite false economy not to provide new schools and to have to bring the children by motor buses into old schools, already congested, in the heart of the city?

I quite appreciate the need; but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, in the case of Glasgow the Department could not be entirely blamed for the delay that has occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware that much good agricultural land in the Campbeltown area is lost to regular food production because of the frequent flooding caused by the Backs and Machrihanish waters; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that this land is preserved for agricultural production;

(2) if he is aware of the necessity for re-developing the land drainage scheme for the Campbeltown-Machrihanish area; that the farming community are unable to finance such a scheme themselves in its entirety; and if he will devise some new plan to carry out this urgent work for which a rate or levy to cover the interest charges on the capital expenditure could be raised from the proprietors and farmers whose lands would be restored to regular cultivation.

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the need to carry out a scheme of drainage works in the Machrihanish area near Campbeltown. This is one of a number of major drainage problems which can only be solved by new legislation. In our consideration of legislative proposals we will carefully examine the method suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend to secure contributions by proprietors and farmers directly benefitting from drainage work.

Is my hon. Friend aware that already many farmers, including small-holders, are losing heavily in their farming operations through this constant flooding? May I impress upon him the need to press upon his right hon. Friend to push on with this proposed legislation?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken for access to land for agricultural purposes to the west of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Scheme at Loch Mullardoch.

The question of access is being considered. I understand that the Hydro-Electric Board are discussing the matter with the Highlands Agricultural Executive Committee.

Is it not the case that round Benula Lodge there is considerable land suitable for grazing now completely cut off because of submersion of the road? Will my hon. Friend take urgent steps to ensure that this land can be reached?

I think we had better await the result of inquiries by the agricultural committee concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to ease the burden of high transport costs in the North of Scotland area.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 29th January.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the burden of high transport charges has borne for a very long time on the North of Scotland and that we cannot expect any sort of Highland development until this burden is eased? Can he not take some steps to see that the recommendations of the Cameron Committee are implemented?

We are well aware of the problem. Action is being taken in the case of fish, as the House knows, and we hope to extend our action in other directions in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for grants for construction of piers or jetties in the Outer Hebrides he has before him from the county councils of Inverness-shire and Ross and Cromarty, respectively, apart from the Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis scheme.

My right hon. Friend has before him at present two applications from the county council of Inverness for piers or jetties in the Outer Hebrides and two from the county council of Ross and Cromarty.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that this is a good example of two Tory county councils helping to reduce the transport charges in the North of Scotland when they show so little enthusiasm for the development of their own areas, to which piers and jetties are absolutely essential?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many prosecutions for deer poaching in Scotland last year convictions were secured; how many sentences of imprisonment were imposed; and what was the heaviest fine and sentence of imprisonment.

The only provisions of the existing game laws which apply to deer in Scotland make it an offence punishable by a fine of £2 to trespass by day in pursuit of deer, and provide for the payment of £20 by any person who kills deer without a game licence. In the 10 northern counties during 1951 proceedings were taken in seven cases, and the 12 persons convicted were fined £2 or £3 each.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the punishments at present in operation are quite sufficient and that the Highlanders have shown remarkable restraint in having so few prosecutions brought before the courts for taking their own deer from their own hills, and will he resist the proposed legislation to tyrannise the area with this Deer Bill?

No, Sir. We are advised by those who, with the exception of the hon. Member, know best in this matter that something on the lines of the new Deer Bill, which has had a Second Reading in another place, is desirable, and we propose to carry through that Measure.

If the hon. Gentleman cannot produce more evidence than he has today, what evidence is there that this legislation is necessary?

We must discuss that Bill when we come to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which areas of the Outer Hebrides electricity distribution schemes are to be put into operation this year by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

I am informed that work on electricity distribution is proceeding and will continue throughout the year, in the western part of the Island of Lewis and in an area between the west and Stornoway.

Does this really mean that no schemes are going forward, as suggested by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro), in any of the outlying islands in the Hebrides?

No, Sir, it does not. I could tell the hon. Member with pleasure, afterwards, what are the precise schemes.

Tell us now.

The Board have authorised an extension of distribution to the Parish of Lochs south of Stornoway and to Tarbert in Harris, and they intend in due course to distribute electricity throughout North and South Uist, but it will not be possible to proceed with these works during the current year.

The Board have recently obtained authority by a constructional scheme for the erection of a diesel generating station at Daliburgh in South Uist, and it is from this generating station that they intend to distribute electricity through South Uist into Benbecula and North Uist.

Thank you.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of oversize classes in the primary and secondary departments of Ayrshire schools at the latest available date.

On 31st March, 1951, 55 primary and 12 secondary classes in Ayrshire had more pupils on the roll than the maximum prescribed in the code.

Could my hon. Friend perhaps give the average figure for the last six years?

I require notice of that question.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us how that figure is going to be affected by the building programme this year in Ayrshire?

I require notice of that question, too.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will, then, give me an answer to Question No. 39.

With pleasure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many primary and secondary schools, respectively, in Ayrshire are under construction; and how many are awaiting building permission.

One primary and one secondary school are now under construction. One secondary school is awaiting authority to start.

Can the hon. Gentleman now relate that answer to the previous answer and tell me just exactly how it meets the situation?

We feel it meets the situation as well as it is possible to do so with the present shortage of steel and other essential materials.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if he has now taken over responsibility for the Scottish Education Department, which his noble Friend had previously?

I think the answer would probably be "yes"

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Hill Lands Commission to report.

I expect that the Commission will periodically report on the progress made in their task of stimulating the development of cattle rearing in the North of Scotland area; but they have not been asked to make a formal report or recommendations at any particular time.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that this Commission is not covering ground which is being covered by other bodies in the Highland area, and is it examining the question of developing cattle on the hills on a township basis as well as a large-scale basis?

The answer to both questions is "Yes."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, when he is considering further grants for rural housing, he will consider further assistance for croft housing and housing on small owner-occupied farms.

Yes, Sir: this will not be overlooked.

When he is considering the further grants which the Secretary of State spoke about, will the Minister bear in mind that, owing to the great increase in prices, it will be necessary considerably to extend the maximum?

All these matters are taken into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the total additional statutory burden which Scottish local authorities will have to bear by virtue of their housing statutory rate contribution being increased, based on the total allocation of houses for 1952.

At the current rate of building by Scottish local authorities, the proposed increase in the statutory rate contributions would involve an additional annual contribution of about £125,000 from the rates. On the same basis, the estimated additional Exchequer liability would be about £330,000.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Scottish local authorities are convinced that the statutory rate contribution is now much too high and that the Exchequer subsidy is still too low? Does he appreciate that they are most aggrieved, and is he aware of the perturbation which has been caused because the Department have chosen a figure of £1,635 when the actual cost of a four-apartment house to the local authority is £1,911?

Yes, Sir, but the real answer to the increasing liability on public funds is a reduction in housing costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses allocated to Ayr County Council for the current year; and how this allocation compares with the previous year.

In January of this year my right hon. Friend authorised the building of 554 houses by the County Council. The corresponding authorisation last year was 600 houses. He will authorise further instalments when this is justified by the progress made with the substantial number of houses now under construction.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Ayr County Council are convinced that they will not be able to build as many houses this year, and will he not review the allocation he has made to them to give them an opportunity at least to equal the figure that they achieved last year?

Last year the county council completed 369 houses. At the moment they have 1,436 houses under construction. That is equal to more than two years' output. We think in these circumstances the allocation given them is adequate.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman do everything he can to ensure that the county council will not be held up because of shortage of vital materials?

Yes, Sir.

Are these purely traditional houses? I take it that they do not include any of the prefabricated or aluminium or other houses?

We were only building traditional houses, in the strict sense of the word, last year, though nontraditional houses are included in the number; but they are not the type of house to which my hon. and gallant Friend referred.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend take steps to make it known to all county councils affected that allocations this year bear a direct relationship to previous performance?

Yes, Sir. Such steps have already been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take increased powers to deal with house property which has been abandoned by the owners and is falling into disrepair.

Local authorities already have powers under the Housing and other Acts to acquire and improve such properties, to have them repaired, or to have them closed or demolished. My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider any suggestions the hon. Member may have to make.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of the local authorities which have this power are not using it, and that at the moment the problem is one of very gravely and swiftly increasing magnitude? Is not the present position very unfair, both to the tenants, to the absentee landlords, to the local authorities, and, indeed, to Her Majesty's lieges, who are at times in a position of danger from collapsing property? Could the Joint Under-Secretary say whether, at least, he and his right hon. Friend will consider the setting up of a committee to inquire into this matter, provided that it reports quickly?

I am aware of the situation and of all the factors which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, but the powers are there for local authorities to use if they see fit.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend read the letter in "The Scotsman" today from the Town Clerk of Innerleithen, and will he consider the suggestion made in that letter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far local authorities have power under his Regulations to acquire existing houses which may be vacant; and if they may so acquire without the obligation to modernise such houses.

Yes; the power is contained in Section 62 in the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the process of acquisition involves bringing in an official arbiter? How long will it take to give effect to his decision? Is the general average 10 or 12 months?

That is another question.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it well worth while a local authority acquiring these houses? Would he encourage local authorities to acquire them, whether they have to wait on the arbiter or not?

That is a matter for the local authorities.

In view of the apparent reluctance of local authorities to take advantage of powers contained in the Housing Act to acquire these houses, will Her Majesty's Government give sympathetic consideration to a Private Member's Bill, standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Steele)?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received from owners and local authorities for grants under the provisions of the Housing (Scotland Act, 1950; how many of these applications for improvements and modernisation have been granted; and at what cost.

To date, 89 applications have ben made to my right hon. Friend by local authorities. He has no record of the number made to local authorities by private persons. For details of applications approved I would refer the hon. Lady to the Housing Return for December, 1951. The total amount of annual payments for 20 years promised to local authorities is £2,796 and of capital grants to private persons £236,446.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are a number of local authorities who are refusing to take applications from owners on the plea that their rates would not stand the expenditure?

That is a matter for the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authority in Scotland made most progress with housing during 1951 and which made least; and if he is taking any steps to deal with recalcitrant authorities.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the published Housing Returns for Scotland. Progress varies from area to area and where necessary my Department presses for an improvement, but my right hon. Friend is not aware that any housing authority in Scotland is recalcitrant.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the number of houses completed in the Coatbridge constituency is the largest in all Scotland pro rata to the population?

Surely it would be both unwise and unfair to mention particular local authorities when circumstances vary so very widely.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that it is quite good to have competition between local authorities and that he might even give an award to the local authority which puts up the most houses?

I very much welcome the hon. Lady's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of steel being directed in 1952 to Scottish housing; and if he will give an assurance that the percentage of this country's steel allocation to Scottish housing is sufficient, in view of the labour force engaged on housing and the need for an increase in the housing quota in Scotland.

It has never been the practice to disclose allocations of materials for particular services, but I can assure the hon. Member that the requirements of housing in Scotland have been and will be fully taken into account in making allocations.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman state the actual position of steel in Scotland, recognising, as was submitted to one of his own committees, that the employers of labour and the operatives have indicated that they could do much more with the present labour force if they were getting a proper allocation?

I think the situation is gradually improving.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 622 houses built for sale at Merrylee by Glasgow Corporation were completed and ready for occupancy as at 30th November, 31st December, 31st January and 29th February, respectively; and how many have been occupied as at 20th March, 1952.

I am informed by Glasgow Corporation that 24 of these houses were ready for occupation at 30th November, 50 at 31st December, 78 at 31st January and 102 at 29th February. None had been occupied at 20th March.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Glasgow has 100,000 people on the waiting list and, while every effort has been made to inspire and encourage those people to purchase these houses, not one in 200 has responded. It is criminal to keep houses unoccupied for a long period. Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to withdraw permission for the sale?

I think it is only fair to the corporation that they should have time in which to decide the matter. May I remind the hon. Gentleman that the matter of the allocation of houses is one entirely for local authorities?

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not agree that it is a gross breach of faith to allow these houses, which were originally allocated for tenant occupancy, to be put up for sale?

The right hon. and learned Gentleman seems to differ from his hon. Friend, who says that the houses were built for sale.

Could the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us how many applications have been received from intending purchasers?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a further statement concerning the review of the court-martial sentences on 22331472 Fusilier Taylor and other soldiers in the Northumberland Fusiliers in Korea.

These court-martial sentences were reviewed on 3rd January, 1952, when the Superior Military Authority directed that the sentences should remain in execution and be reviewed on 31st March, 1952.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will bring his customary human understanding and sympathy to bear on these cases? Will he do his best to bring to an end the sentences on thoughtless and impulsive young soldiers, who should not continue to be branded as criminals?

Yes, Sir. I am quite certain that the local commander-in-chief has that aspect of the matter in mind.

Does not the Minister think we might extend to these young lads the same generosity and kindness as we have recently extended to many Nazi war criminals?

I do not think the two matters are connected.

asked the Secretary of State for War the qualifications for receiving the Korean Campaign Medal.

I would refer the hon. Member to Cmd. Paper 8314.

Is not the Minister aware of the great esteem in which this medal is held by its recipients and by the general public? Does he not think that it detracts from the value of the medal for it to be awarded to a goat? Will he not stop the practice of awarding medals of this character to animals, even though the animals are regimental mascots?